A FAMILY run bus company is at risk of going bust due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Heathside Travel, based in Ferndown, supplies coach hire for schools, airport transfers, rail replacement and day trips, however have had no income since March.

Tim Southby, who operates the business, said: “Once China shut its borders on the January 23 we started to have work for February and March cancelled.

“Then once the ski trips arrived back from Italy in February we lost all our bookings from the March 14 onwards.

“Transport is at a standstill and not only were we one of the first industries in the UK to suffer, we will also be one of the last industries to recover.

“The industry needs a £585,000,000 investment to ensure we are all still here when there is some form of normality.

“Our industry works very hard from April to September and creates reserves so we survive the winter months. At the moment we are facing an 18-month winter and need support.”

Mr Southby expressed that their company, and their industry, needs help from the government in order to survive.

“If financial aid doesn’t come soon school children will have to find alternative ways to get to school,” he continued.

“This will mean parents having to take their children to school, clogging up the school’s car parks and the local road network.

“If our coach companies disappear it will have an effect on the economy in a big way. As an industry we put £6 billion into the economy every year.

“I have taken a £45,000 bounce back loan and this is in a savings account right now. I don’t want to have to use this and want to give it back. At the moment, if the government don’t help us I will have to use it and from next May.

“Our industry is in crisis and needs government support very soon.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We recognise how challenging this period is for the transport sector and encourage all firms to make use of the further changes to business support, announced by the Chancellor, helping make funds easier to access for more companies.

“Councils also have the discretionary power to offer hardship relief and we would encourage coach operators to discuss this with their local authority.”